The
Relevance of Physics
Physics -- that most exact of sciences -- is too often regarded
as a paragon of objectivity and an unmatched source of definitive truths
with fundamental relevance to all areas of human inquiry. In a brilliant
evaluation of the scope and limitations of physics, Stanley L. Jaki argues
that physicists are threatened both by uninformed public acceptance of
fashions in physics and by their own propensity to declare again, as they
have in the past, that a specific synthesis of their findings is final.
No less precarious is the predicament of those in the humanities. Unable
to appraise in their real value the ever more impressive list of "final
truths" in physical science, they either ignore the physics of their times,
or uncritically exploit some of its results. The contemporary symptom of
these unhealthy attitudes is the "two culture" phenomenon.
From reviews of the first edition:
"Jaki forged a powerful book"--Atomic Scientist
"The appearance of this book is an event of no small importance and, as may be hoped, of no small consequence for the future. It is one of the rare cases in scientific literature, where a competent scientist tries to delimit clearly and thoroughly the boundaries within which his own science--physics--is valid... Jaki thinks that a good knowledge of the history of science, with all its failures and mistaken convictions would be a lesson and of great help. It may be so. I suggest another receipe: to make Jaki's book...compulsory reading for all scientists, students and professors." W. Heitler in American Scientist.